How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it provides to your backyard and the plentiful natural light it brings in. These entryways are valuable elements of any Huntington residence, but also come with safety risks. See why they’re preferred by burglars and what you should do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Huntington

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are a few simple explanations. To begin with, they are commonly made more for aesthetics than security. Many don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often a cinch to manipulate. They’re also installed at the rear of your Huntington house, giving burglars a better opportunity to approach undetected. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

During clear days and nice temperatures, your sliding patio door may be the most-frequented entry at your home. You may fall into a habit of leaving it unlocked so your little ones can effortlessly enter and exit to the yard. Even when you lock your door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can circumvent with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Home invaders are more likely to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. Many sliding doors include thin glass that’s not hard to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals might attempt to force the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they are able to slip through.

Even though it’s not difficult to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to step up your security. Discover what your options are.

Better defend your Huntington home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of the most vulnerable entrances in your Huntington house, here’s how you can do it.

• Install surveillance cameras. When prospective invaders notice surveillance at your property, they’ll probably try to find a less secure target. They won’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively deter prowlers with lights and sound.
• Use entrypoint sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if a burglar attempts to come in or break the glass. You’ll also be sent an alert through your security system’s cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and easy to operate. You could also choose a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar is a traditional solution that provides an additional layer to your defense. These are traditionally solid wood reinforcements placed within the lower door track. Make sure it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Huntington

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entry points with a fully connected smart home in Huntington from Vivint. We provide all the devices you need, from cameras to window and door sensors. If a device triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be informed right away. Reach out to (304) 902-8188 today to learn more and schedule your professional installation.